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Jebel al-Zawiyeh

al-Bara (البارة) is the site of an extensive Byzantine-era settlement, perhaps the largest in the limestone massif, and should be included on any itinerary to the region. In addition to numerous villas and churches in varying states of preservation, the site has two pyramid tombs (one of which is richly decorated with stone carvings), an interesting monastery complex, and a small fortress constructed centuries later. While …

Perhaps the most well preserved of Byzantine-era sites in the limestone massif, Serjilla (سرجلا) should be included on any itinerary to the region. Nowhere else can you get a better sense of what life would have been like in rural Syria during the Byzantine period. Spread over a small valley and surrounding hills, the settlement includes a remarkably well preserved church, inn, baths, olive presses, tombs and …

Shinshirah (شنشراح), also known as Khirbet Has (خربة حاس), is one the largest Byzantine settlements in the limestone massif. With the remains of dozens of large villas and several churches on a hilltop plateau, Shinshirah (شنشراح) is one of the most impressive sites in the region. While the remains are not as well-preserved as nearby Serjilla (سرجلا), nor is the architecture as ornate as in al-Bara …

Rabiaa (ربيعة) is a minor site of mostly Byzantine-era remains located between the more substantial sites of Serjilla (سرجلا) and Shinshirah (شنشراح) in the southern portion of the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) region. Rabiaa (ربيعة) was later occupied during the Crusader and early Islamic periods, though there is minimal evidence of this. There is an interesting stone carved monument to the west of the main cluster of ruins. The other …

Bauda (بعودا) is a small Byzantine site conveniently located on the side of the road between the two major sites of al-Bara (البارة) and Serjilla (سرجلا). As such, it is easily added to most itineraries when visiting the area. The site includes a small but wonderfully well preserved pyramid tomb in the southwest corner of the site, similar to one of the smaller tombs in al-Bara (البارة). There …

Ruweiha (رويحة) is characterized by an interesting combination of Roman and Byzantine remains that include numerous tombs of varying architectural styles, two large churches, and several villas built on a very large scale. The site is one of the more unique and impressive sites in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. Most of the town dates from the fifth and sixth centuries, …

Farkiya (فركيا), similar to nearby Meghara (مغارة), is the site of several well preserved Roman tombs located on the northern end of a modern village. The most impressive is a small rock-cut tomb with incredibly rich stone carvings on both the interior and exterior facade. Other tombs at the site were designed with arched canopies over the entryway to the rock-cut burial chambers. Just south of the modern …

Meghara (مغارة) is the site of several well preserved Roman tombs located on the outskirts of a modern village. The tombs were particularly rich in statuary and painted decoration, some of which is still visible today. One tomb has an elaborate external facade, but the others are more austere on the exterior with far more detail within the burial chambers. Getting There: The site …

Scattered Byzantine ruins can be found throughout the modern village of Deir Sinbol (دير سنبل), in the eastern side of the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. The most well preserved remains are of moderately sized villas. There was once a large church at the site, but little remains of it today. It is a fairly minor site overall, but warrants brief …

With two sizable and well preserved villas and a few other scattered ruins, Dellozeh (دللوزة) is one of the more remote Byzantine sites in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. Visitors will likely have the entire site to themselves, with only a couple families living in the area tending to the scattered olive tree groves. The site is located in the …

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